Golf prodigy Nathan Seal books spot at European Junior Open

Ed White

Delighted teenager Nathan Seal is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Ryder Cup heroes Luke Donald and Justin Rose after clinching a spot in the finals of the European Junior Open.

The junior member of Knaresborough Golf Club will jetset off to Spain in November after earning a place at the prestigious tournament at a qualifying event in Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire.

Nathan Seal

Staveley-based Seal tied with two others junior after shooting a gross score of 76.

Donald and Rose are past winners of the competition, which sees the best young talent in Europe converge on the Costa Del Sol.

Seal, who left St John Fisher’s School in Harrogate last year, said: “I am delighted.

“It was a bit unexpected, especially as I had three double bogeys in my round. I thought I had thrown it away.

The 17-year-old, who started playing golf at Harrogate GC before moving to Knaresborough, will compete in the four-round championship at Finca Cortesin on the Costa Del Sol with an aim to make the cut for the fifth and final day’s play.

“I’m going to go out there and will do what I can do. Hopefully I can just enjoy it and take in the experience.

“It’s a five round competition over five days and there’s a cut too. I have never played in a competition with a cut so that will be something different.”